Bronchiolo-alveolar cell carcinoma of the lung

A clinicopathological study

Abstract

A series of 18 cases of operated bronchiolo-alveolar cell carcinoma of the lung is reviewed clinicopathologically.
Sputum cytology and bronchial brushing are available for properative diagnosis with special emphasis on bronchial brushing.
Chest x-ray and surgico-pathological findings revealed various patterns. They are summerized in 4 histological groups as follows.
Gourp A presents tall columnar cells with ample much which are similar to goblet cells.
Group B presents tall columnar cells without ample mucin.
Group C presents cuboidal and/or peg-shaped cells with infiltrative growth.
zGroup D presents cuboidal and/or peg-shaped cells with nodal growth.
Cases of group A characteristically showed a diffuse consolidation on chest x-ray film, and postsurgical prognosis are favourable.
Case of group C showed an ill-defined and irregularly mottled shadow on chest x-ray film, and all of them died within 2 years after operation even if nuclear atypism of some cases were slight.